A double from Declan McManus helped The New Saints to a 5-2 win over Penybont at SMD Glass Stadium. Saints who had lead 2-0 at half time were pegged back to 2-1 but hit two in two minutes to put the game beyond Penybont.
McManus struck first in the 31st minute after what had been an even contest to that point. Daniel Redmond made it two in the 39th minute as the Saints threaten to run away with the game. Penybont came out for the second half and put their visitors under pressure. The pressure told in the 55th minute when Kenyon Reffell pulled a goal back. Penybont continued to push forward but couldn’t find an equaliser. Ashley Baker and Daniel Davies both scored in the 71st and 72nd minute respectfully to extend the lead to 4-1. Daniel Davies added a fifth for TNS in the 80th minute before Nathan Wood got one back for Penybont in the 85th minute.
TNS keep their 17 point lead over second place Connah’s Quay. Penybont fall six points behind Nomads with just two games to play.
Penybont had a great opportunity to take an early lead. Working the ball into the box for Lewis Clutton he was able to be in space and get a shot away. His low well struck shot saved by Connor Roberts to deny a goal.
Declan McManus should have given the visitors the lead but he scuffed a chance. Joshua Daniels broke into the box and squared the ball into the centre for McManus. The TNS strike miscued his shot and the ball ran tamely to Alex Pennock.
McManus got it right on his next try when he skilfully chipped the ball over Pennock. Receiving the ball in ball in the box with space and time McManus deify chipped the ball over the keeper to make it 1-0.
McManus almost had a second shortly after when his low shot from the edge of the box was brilliantly saved by Pennock.
The second goal did come as TNS stepped up their pressure. McManus this time provider as Daniel Redmond hit a diving header from McManus’ cross.
Half Time: Penybont 0-2 TNS
Penybont started the second half well and pushed forward from the start. Josh Yorwerth went close when his header went just wide from Kane Owen’s corner.
Owen the did well to cut out a lose pass from TNS to send the ball forward into the box. Reffell was there and manage to squeeze the ball past Roberts.
TNS then hit back with Ashley Baker heading at goal but only to be denied by a diving save from Pennock.
Baker made sure of getting on the scoresheet when he fired in from close range from a corner.
Just a minute later and Josh Daniels take advantage of a mistake at the back to find McManus free in the centre. McManus making no mistakes from a few yards out.
TNs would extend their lead further when Daniel Davies was found free in the box and he confidently rolled the ball past Pennock.
Penybont got a consolation goal with five minutes left. Kai Whitmore playing the ball to the right to Sam Snaith. Snaith centred the ball for Nathan Wood who applied the finish.
Full Time: Penybont 2-5 TNS
Penybont: Alex Pennock (G), Mark Little, Kane Owen (G), Mael Davies, Lewis Harling (Sam Snaith 70), Nathan Wood, Keyon Reffell, Josh Yorwerth, Lewis Clutton, Ryan Reynolds (Kai Whitmore 58), Shaun MacDonald (Billy Borge 80).
Goals: Keyon Reffell 55, Nathan Wood 85.
Yellow Cards: Josh Yorwerth 16, Lewis Harling 65.
TNS: Connor Roberts (G), Josh Pask (Leo Smith 63), Chris Marriott, Ryan Astles, Jonathan Routledge, Joshua Daniels, Ryan Brobbel (Gwion Dafydd 87), Declan McManus, Daniel Redmond (Ashley Baker 62), Daniel Williams (Blaine Hudson 52), Daniel Davies.
Goals: Declan McManus 31, 72, Daniel Redmond 39, Ashley Baker 71, Daniel Davies 80.
Yellow Cards: Daniel Redmond 22.
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